Marcus Aurelius’ favorite poet Heraclitus once said, “No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it is not the same river and he is not the same man.” Whether man or woman, many have learned the truth in this saying by returning to the places in their memory. Are you one of them, or have you discovered you can, in fact, go home again?
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We all know know the phrase. Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has earned legitimacy since the Vietnam War. Our decades-long Middle East wars have added to those suffering from PTSD.
Outside of warfare, trauma also exists in many forms. Have you ever experienced trauma? When and in what circumstances? Do traumatic aftereffects linger in your awareness? How do you deal with them?
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“All’s the world’s a stage,” Shakespeare has told us. Have you seen theatrical performances that have delighted you, or intrigued you, or brought you to tears? Or perhaps you’ve sat in the orchestra pit, or have directed, or been on the other side of the footlights as an actor? Or worked behind the scenes at stage craft or sewn costumes? Or had that dream job and been paid to go to the theater as a reviewer?
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Nearly everyone has seen lightning, one of the most ubiquitous demonstrations of nature’s elemental power. Lightning also enables plants to grow. Some people revel in lightning’s power, while others seek shelter at the first distant peal of its voice. Was there a time when lightning impacted your life?
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Our lives are full of ceremonies. Many are rites of passage – christenings and b’nai mitzvahs, graduations and weddings, naturalizations, inductions, and ordinations. Others are less formal, foreign to us, or deeply personal. What ceremonies have you attended? Participated in? Or even generated from your own needs, wishes or beliefs?
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Nearly every creature on the planet lives with a fight or flight response to danger. Have you ever been in danger? Were you ever forced into danger by chance or necessity? Did you ever court danger? Have you done something fun, foolish, and dangerous? Tell us your danger tales.
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Started by John and Patti Zussman, and then later acquired by Suzy, Retrospect has built a community by asking Baby Boomers “What’s Your Story?” for more than seven years and three thousand stories. Think back … about some of your favorite prompts or stories and/or how Retrospect has impacted your life. Share your Retrospect Retrospective stories forward.
Early computers were owned by large companies, filled rooms, and required temperature control. With electronic typewriters containing computer interfaces paving the way, in not much time at all we eased into personal computers — desktops, and laptops. Think back … Do you remember your first computer experience? Was it on a personal computer or one of those giants like the UNIVAC featured here? Share your My First Computer stories forward.
Some of us seem to have an innate sense of direction, others of us can get disoriented within, or emerging from, a parking garage, subway, or even a building. We might draw a blank when directed to head north, south, east or west. Think back … Before GPS, did you rely on a map or a compass to get you to where you were going, or could you find your way on your own? Share your Directionally Challenged stories forward.
Many people put off going to the dentist, often because of anxiety based on past experiences. Think back … How did you feel about going to the dentist as a child? Did you have any experiences that made you fearful, or did you receive wonderful dental care? How did going to the dentist change for your children or for you as you grew older? Share your dentist stories forward.
